If The Big Clash is decided by control, tempo and nerve, then the spotlight naturally falls on the men wearing nine. Luc Jones and Jonny Law sit at the heart of everything their sides want to do. They’re organisers, agitators and tone-setters in a fixture where emotion can easily takeover.

Luc Jones is the embodiment of Richmond’s on-field leadership. Frequently captaining the side, he operates as the conduit between forwards and backs, setting rhythm and searching for a route through the opponent's defensive line. His performance in Round 10 against Worcester Warriors underlined that influence, named Richmond’s Backs Player of the Week and selected in Champ Rugby’s Team of the Week (according to Oval Insights), following a composed, authoritative display.

His threat around the fringes remains a defining feature of his game. Three tries this season, many scored from sharp snipes at the base of the ruck. Jones has the creativity to shift momentum and make a line break from nothing. Luc joined Richmond back in 2017, and then had spells with high-quality professional sides such as Harlequins, Dragons and Jersey Reds. Earlier in his career, Luc also represented his country, playing for Wales U20’s on several occasions. Rugby pedigree runs deep in his family as well, as he’s the son of former Wales international flanker and Dutch head coach Lyn Jones.

Across the shared turf stands Jonny Law. Since joining London Scottish ahead of the 2023/24 season from Championship champions Jersey Reds, Law has become a central figure in the Exiles’ spine. A Leicester Tigers product, his game is built on speed of thought, sharp service and a willingness to test defences at every opportunity.

Law’s kicking game adds another layer of control. In the most recent round, he topped the charts with 14 kicks in play, including 12 box kicks, a clear indicator of how Scottish look to manage territory and apply pressure. After making 21 appearances in his debut season, Law was almost ever-present and consistently influential, which has led him to become a mainstay in the London Scottish side.

Two scrum-halves at the heart of their teams. Jones and Law will go head-to-head in what could be the defining battle of the match, as both look to get the most out of their forwards and backs. It’s going to be a New Year's thriller!